Making Migration Work for Development (MMWD) Policy Tools for Strategic planning in SEE regions and cities REGION OF CRETE Conclusions of the 1 st Regional Consultation for the transnational cooperation in migration in SEE, March 18 th 2014, Heraklion

It took place in Heraklion, on March 18 th, with the participation of the Heraklion Development Agency (HDA) and representatives of local and regional stakeholders with competence on migration, labor, human capital and welfare. The participants took the opportunity to express views, concerns and proposals on the specific thematic (social economy, entrepreneurship, technical education), but also on various aspects of the 3 policy realms. The 1 st Regional Consultation

a.Weaknesses The legal framework for social economy has a very restrictive orientation, excluding social enterprises as perceived in the rest of Europe. According to the Law 4019/2011, the social enterprises (S.E.) are actually meant to substitute the central state as for the delivery of social care services (homecare, preschool education, vulnerable social groups etc). The citizens are very wary of this kind of S.E., because they consider them as a “Trojan horse” of the private sector to take the social care services (so far public) and deliver them on charge. Social rights and health/welfare benefits are treated as "Programs” and European Initiatives There is no access to social and health/welfare benefits for unemployed people. Unlike the rest of Europe, the Greek family, has been overtime, maybe, the major provider of social care services. During the last years (economic crisis) the Greek family looks unable to support its member. The central state is also unable because it never established a stable welfare system. The S.E. are invited to fill the gap. Welfare

b. Proposals The government, even under EU pressure, has to deal with the lack of access to health and welfare benefits for unemployed people. Providing the appropriate incentives for s.e. start up. The current legal framework for social economy should be amended. The Social Economy must operate targeted and not horizontal and stop to depend on state funding Social economy local experts must, despite any adversity, to focus their efforts on supporting social enterprises and those who want to start up such activities Welfare

a. Weaknesses Uninsured work is a key issue for Greece because apart from the financial dimension (sustainability of social security funds) it is connected with the access to social and welfare benefits for Greeks and immigrants as well. A great number of immigrants do not have access to social benefits and employment opportunities (co funded programs) due to the lack of social security, unless they got 10 year resident permit. The European Social Fund co-funded programs that subsidize employment and young professionals do not recognize non EU citizens as beneficiaries Immigrants lack the minimum protection of basic labor and social right, which tends to apply also to the Greeks. Illegal employment has been established especially in tourist sector (for immigrants and Greeks). Communication gap with immigrants (from Asia and Africa) is a major obstacle not only for their employment but for their social inclusion as well. Labour

a. Weaknesses (in continue…) According to the current legal framework, it is very difficult for foreigners to get work permit, which excludes them from the labor market and substantially prevents their social integration. As a result illegal work is strengthened. Under the current economic crisis there has been a change regarding the target groups synthesis (local-foreign, Roma, homeless etc.) in need of guaranteed access to basic rights. There is lack of awareness on the part of foreigners, with the exception of the Albanians, as for their employment rights and the benefits available. Employment opportunities and welfare services are provided mainly though European “pilot” programs with fix term. The state is unable to incorporate the pilot structures and establish them on a permanent base. Beneficiaries and employees are frustrated. Innovation lacks from subsidized business start up. Labour

b. Proposal Combating uninsured work for Greeks and immigrants as well Crisis and poverty have redefined the criteria for target groups. What is needed is to explore and analyze the factors that create new target groups and the measures to address this phenomenon. Establishing permanent information structures for immigrants Focus on social inclusion but not cultural assimilation of immigrants Redefining the role of local authorities (municipalities and regions) in regard with welfare state and social entrepreneurship. Detering exclusion of third countries citizens from European employment programs Ensuring a minimum level of insurance for immigrants and Greeks and guarantee the fundamental rights of citizen (social insurance, guaranteed minimum income, rights of the child, etc.). Labour

a. Weaknesses Greeks are mostly in need of jobs rather than training Graduates declare that they have compulsory education in order to be beneficiaries of employment programs Significant outflow of professionally trained young people and inflow of immigrants of lower education or unskilled Most of them that decide to stay in Greece, are doing jobs not consistent with their expertise In Crete mostly Russian speakers have a university degree, the rest immigrants have technical skills. The national legal framework that recognize technical skill is not yet completed. The respective framework for the recognition of university degrees, although into force, it is quite complicated even for Greeks, let alone immigrants. As a result the foreign labor forces is not utilized properly. Human Capital

b. Proposals Training programs should be targeted and connected with the labor market. Simplifying the system for the recognition of professional qualifications Developing transnational partnerships or synergies in the field of labor mobility between manpower employment organizations of the SEE. Targeting of technical education in the primary sector through partnerships with countries such as Italy (especially in the field of rural tourism) Synergies in the field of agriculture and innovation Human Capital

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